Look at the Mariners Utility Players

Now that the Mariners are just under a month when the pitcher and catchers report for spring training I figure for us to look more at depth on the positions of the Mariners and the pitching. So I decided to start first at those who maybe the utility player since the Mariners traded Brad Miller to the Tampa Bay Rays.

First off look at Chris Taylor since he is the most familiar one to us; he has spent most of his time playing at shortstop since he was the Mariners starting shortstop for over a month last year starting in May after being injured in spring training. We saw that he was a good fielder however his bat was suspect. He spent most of the season with Tacoma in Triple A. He did play some second base as well. He was not called up in September instead he was sent to Arizona to work on his hitting along with Mike Zunino. He has spent most of the off-season working on his hitting though I am sure he has been doing some fielding as well. His upside has to do with his fielding and being on big league club playing regular for a month. How much he plays will depend on how Ketel Marte does on his second tour in the major leagues. We know the utility player will not play much at either second or third. Most likely how much at second base will be how Cano is doing after his off-season surgery and whether the Mariners will use him once in a while at designated hitter. Of course, Kyle Seager will be playing almost every day. Only an injury would keep him out of the lineup.

The next guy on the scene is another familiar face from last September call up is Sean O’Malley. What I like about him is speed and versatility. Not only will he be able to play any of the infield positions he can play in the outfield. The Mariners could use him in center or left field and have him as a pinch runner in the late innings. He would be my first choice as the utility player.

The next one is not as familiar with us and that is Luis Sardinas who the Mariners got in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers. He has more major league experience starting as the shortstop for the Brewers for a little while as well. I expect that he is a good fielder and has some speed. He may be able to play in the outfield too. Since the Mariners did get him in a trade he could be the frontrunner. I guess we will see.

Anyway the Mariners look like the utility position will be better than it was last season. I am sure the Mariners will have other guys competing in camp for this position. Let the best man win. Go Mariners!